18 Mart 2013 Pazartesi

MOSCOW – The Russian Navy will maintain 5-6
warships in the Mediterranean Sea as a task force to defend Russia’s
interests in the area, Navy Commander Adm. Viktor Chirkov said on
Sunday.
"Up to five-six warships must be present in the Mediterranean Sea on a
permanent basis and control must be exercised through the command of
the [Russian] Black Sea Fleet,” Chirkov said in an interview with the
Zvezda TV network run by the Defense Ministry.

The Russian Navy’s Mediterranean task force will comprise frigates and cruisers, as well as support vessels, he said.

“I believe that we have the capability to form and maintain such a
task force,” Shoigu said, citing the success of recent large-scale naval
drills carried out by the Russian navy in the Mediterranean and Black
seas.

Shoigu did not mention, however, a timeline for the deployment of the
new task force, which would likely require significant effort to ensure
efficient logistics and the proper maintenance of warships in the
Mediterranean group.

The Soviet Union maintained its 5th Mediterranean Squadron in that
sea from 1967 until 1992. It was formed to counter the US Navy 6th Fleet
during the Cold War, and consisted of 30-50 warships and auxiliary
vessels at different times.